Beretta 1201 FP

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My dealer has two of these on his shelf and I am thinking of getting one. Any comments pro or con about this SG? The people in the shop seem to think well of it, but then they also are trying to sell it.

If I decide to get it, I'll have to sell one or more of my other SGs. And that willbe another topic and decision.

Thanks in advance.
 
Never sell a gun that works for a gun that might work. My two cents on the philosophy of selling guns.

Now with that said the 1201FP is a spectacular shotty. Think of it as an early Benelli M1. Mine will cycle even the lightest Walmart bulk pack loads flawlessly and never misses a beat. Recoil is as harsh as any other recoil operated semi auto.

Here is a picture of mine. She is the evil beastie at the top. :D

162996.JPG
 
It is indeed made by Benelli [Beretta owns part of Benelli] and almost exactly like the M1 90.Very nice.
 
cslinger...

Never sell a gun that works for a gun that might work. My two cents on the philosophy of selling guns.
Click to expand...

Good advice. However I have more guns than I need and less money than I would like. OOPS!

I am in the process of comparing and testing what I have. The lowest performer goes as partial trade for the Beretta. Actually two will go because I already have a Norinco copy of the Model 97 in on consignment. That will leave me at least two pump guns set up for home/self-defense and a Remington 870 Magnum for experimentation.
 
The one I own is a star performer, but make darn sure you use reduced recoil loads!!!!! The thing has nasty recoil,although I use a 686 and pintail most of the time( the xtrema never gets fired-just loaned out) I was shocked the first time I fired it. I never expected the recoil to be what it was. That said, it is not uncommon for me to shoot 40 home rolled goose loads from my gold lite 10ga. in a day at snows. Well I don't KILL that many :banghead: -but- I do shoot that much.Anyways~ the fp1201 is a dandy, reliable, and overly light, don't think butt-stroking :neener: with it would be super productive.
 
I had one, kicked a bit more than any other gun i have (M-1, M-3, 870, 590)
ended up selling it to finance the M-1 Price would definately be a factor for me if I was making your decision. I bought my 1201 NIB for around 400 and sold it for 550 and got the M-1 NIB for 500. Gun always felt very light (recoil!!) and kinda long for me but your mileage may vary.
 
Recoil is not really any worse then any other 12 bore. The 1201FP is a very light shotgun though and as such does seem to impart more perceived recoil then say my 870 marine magnum. Now I have a lot of weight on that gun though.

If shotgun recoil doesn't really bother you then the 1201FP is not going to bother you at all. If you are one of those people that shotgun recoil is bothersome then the 1201FP may exacerbate the feeling.

My wife, Sheslinger, runs 3.5inch loads through her little 6 pound Benelli Nova with 18.5 inch barrel so as far as shotgun recoil I just think all us men just need to cowboy up :D

Chris
 
1201 Fp

Beretta1201FP.jpg

When I first bought my 1201 FP last year, I couldn't get light (Tac) loads to operate the recoil 'impulse' enough to unlock the bolt and cycle the action.

After running 2-300 rounds of regular strength slug and 00 buck though it, works fine now.

In fact it likes the Federal reduced recoil Tac loads now so much those are pretty much the only loads I use.

I have heard that sidesaddles and other 'hang-ons' add weight and may cause reliability problems with the recoil operated bolt. But I have no experience with this.

I paid just under $500 a year ago for mine (decent price for MD if you can even find them).

-LeadPumper
 
I have one like Leadpumper displays.

They are a superb autoloader and well worth the money. The recoil mechanism works with a stationary barrel: on recoil, the bolt carrier compresses a HEAVY spring between itself and the bolt head, then springs back using the inertia to unlock and continue through the loading cycle. That's why all the gimcracks added on can affect operation, because the weight is balanced between the shotgun and the bolt carrier. If the outside don't recoil hard enough (too much mass, for example) operation will be impeded. Other than that limitation, it is just what the doctor ordered. :)
 
The more you guys talk about your 1201s, the more I am convinced that I need one. However, this is going to require that I re-think my SG battery and narrow the number of different brands that I have.

One more question: Has anyone tried the Cold Comfort (I think that's the correct name) stock mounted elastic fabric ammo carrier? I have one on my Savage and it seems to be a good, low-tech answer to carrying extra ammo. There is a picture in this thread ( http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=137115 ).
 
I don't think the added mass from acessories will adversely affect the bolt operation, but only think that-don't know. The thing is gonna get a try with those little-bity agulia shotshells, it might work & if it does I'm "gonna load on sunday and shoot all week long"
 
I love mine


I have shot cheapo wal-mart value pack with no problems.....though the 3in slugs seem to be a little stout in the recoil dept....but that is just me. the fed tactical #4's work fine for me.....I have the 5 round sleeve that fits on the butt stock with no problems.

I have floated back and forth with the standard stock and a full pistol grip....somdays I like one and other days I prefer the pistol grip.....go figure!?!?!

The only con is aftermarket parts...I.E. extended mags......


Rusher
 
I have read a variety of reports of poor functioning with too much weight added to the 1201 (which is a very fine shotgun). IIRC, the conclusion is that you can have a sidesaddle, or a light, but not both? Not entirely positive that I'm remembering that correctly, so check it out.
 
Can anyone give me the price range for a new model?
I fired one last year at a seminar and liked it very much.
 
1201fp

Lets see, I know I had an old range report around here somewhere...

Ah, here it is LINK

As for pricing, I havn't seen many in MD since I bought mine. Average price for new ones on the net seem to be $650.00 or so. (which I think is a bit high).

In reading the link above posted by JNewell, I noticed both the date (97), and that the shotgun used in the article was not the same design (close, but different) then the model I have.

My 1201FP has a ghost ring rear sight with adjustable tritium front blade sight, as well as a mag tube that extends right up to the end of the barrel.

I am also at a loss to expain (or even find on my model) the "small button that protrudes from the very front of the trigger guard" the author refers to.

I shall investigate further...

-LeadPumper
 
LeadPumper...

I am also at a loss to expain (or even find on my model) the "small button that protrudes from the very front of the trigger guard" the author refers to.
Click to expand...

The one I am looking at is similar to yours. I believe the button is at the read of the shell lifter, a very small solid piece that sticks out from the frame. It seems to unlock or release the lifter.
 
"Button" is a pretty ambitious word for the small exposed end of a latch or something. I don't try to get too far into the secret workings of the 1201 FP because the manual of arms is bassackwards to most any other shotgun I'm familiar with. He mentions getting an extra round to ride up on the carrier, etc. I'm just not interested in the manipulations. YMMV
 
I just bought one for $450 and it looks like a safe queen, no scratches, very clean. I didnt get a owners manual with it though. can someone point me in the right direction on how to properly field strip it and lube points. I want to do it right and not damage, scratch or anything else bad to it.
 
Frosty,

Mark Penman (author of the laissezfirearm site linked above) was a running e-acquaintance of mine for a couple of years. He really liked his 1202 and used it effectively in classes with Louis Awerbuck, no small endorsement. If you get one I don't think you will feel any different about it- they are really good guns.

lpl/nc
 
Has Beretta made these non-PC yet? I seem to remember them taking a page out of the Remington manual and restricting mag tube capacity to under the legal limit around 5 years ago or so.

That having been asked, is the 1201 as good as the Benelli M1 for defensive use, asked by someone who only shoots Remington shotties currently and has little experience with them EYE-talian shotguns? I'm trying to figure out if I really need an M1 or if the 1201 will do.
 
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